Beverly Jo Brunk Michaelis

Beverly Jo Brunk Michaelis January 9, 1946 January 28, 2010 Beverly Brunk Michaelis went to be with the Lord on January 28, 2010. A service celebrating her life will take place at 2 p.m., Saturday, January 30, at First United Methodist Church of Waco. Interment will take place at Oakwood Cemetery immediately after the service. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m., Friday evening, January 29, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home. Beverly was born at Norton, Kansas, to Genevieve and Howard Brunk. She was the second oldest of five siblings, four of whom were girls. They were affectionately known as the "Brunk Sisters" to all of their friends. Beverly met the love of her life, Dennis Michaelis, when she was a freshman at Hill City High School. They were high school sweethearts and would have been married 45 years in June. Beverly was a talented musician and singer. She performed in many choirs and community plays. One of her favorite performances was as La Paloma, a can-can dancer. Even after she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at age 28, she continued to take part in as many productions as possible. She was also a talented artist using watercolor and oils with flair. Beverly often said that her greatest achievement was raising her two sons, Joel and Ryan, with Dennis. She was very active with their educational and extracurricular activities. Even as they moved from Kansas to North Dakota and, finally, to Texas as Dennis pursued his career, she worked hard to make sure her sons were thriving in each new setting. Beverly and Dennis moved to Waco in 1988 when Dennis accepted the presidency of McLennan Community College where he retired in September, 2009. After her children went to college, she became a teacher's aide and volunteer at Parkdale Elementary School. She enjoyed working with all of the children, but there was one very special student, Arthur Wilson, who became her "third son." Beverly was especially proud of Arthur's recent graduation from TSTC. In recent years, Beverly was active with the Historic Waco Foundation East Terrace House and the local Arthritis Foundation. She also was part of a group of friends, the Chick Flick Group, who attended movies every Thursday afternoon. She was preceded in death by her father, Howard Brunk, and her brother, Gail Brunk. Beverly is survived by her husband of almost 45 years, Dennis Michaelis; her two sons, Ryan; Joel and his wife, Cindy; mother, Genevieve Brunk, of Hill City, Kansas; sisters, Jerrilyn Manbeck of Gold Canyon, Arizona; Barbara Stites of Wakeeney, Kansas; and Malea Copeland, of Arvada, Colorado. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Katie, Cameron, and Bethany, all of Waco; as well as many nieces and nephews. Pallbearers are Dennis Chalaire, Andy Love, Philip McCleery, Wilbur Stites, Arthur Wilson, Don Edwards, William P. Coleman and Fred Zachary. The family would like to thank the wonderful physicians and nursing staff at Providence Health Center, who were so gentle with Beverly and so kind to her family. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be given in her memory to the Historic Waco FoundationEast Terrace House, the Arthritis Foundation, or the McLennan Community College Scholarship Fund. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com.